Keeping well at work – advice from the Devon Wellbeing Hub
Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in Mental health, Recovery and wellbeing on 24th June, 2024
This week (Monday 24 - Sunday 30 June), is World Wellbeing Week. To mark the occasion, the Devon Wellbeing Hub have put together some top tips on how we can stay well at work.
Christina Greenland, Clinical and Operational Lead for the Devon Wellbeing Hub, said: “At the Hub, we understand that making time for your wellbeing at work can feel hard when things are busy and when you feel that so many people are depending on you. However, we spend a huge proportion of our lives at work, and if we’re struggling this can lead to stress and burnout which not only effects our careers, but our personal lives and relationships too. In contrast, when we feel well at work, we’re more engaged, motivated and have a sense of satisfaction. Therefore, it’s vitally important we do what we can to support our health and wellbeing during the working day.”
Suggestions for how to look after our wellbeing at work:
- Take regular breaks: Taking a proper lunch break gives you protected time to eat and drink so that you’re energised for the rest of the day. Getting up from your desk and moving around regularly throughout the day is also beneficial for both our physical and mental health. It’s also important to make sure you use your annual leave – taking time away from work to rest and do things we enjoy can make us feel more productive and return to work with a fresh-mind set.
- Connect with colleagues: Connection is one of the five ways to wellbeing. Keeping in touch with others at work is really important, especially when we’re working from home where we can easily feel isolated. Setting aside time in your meetings (both in-person and virtually) for a quick check-in can create a sense of belonging and emotional support with one another. Going for a walk with a colleague during your lunch break is also a great way to combine enjoying nature, being active and connecting.
- Keep a to-do list: To manage stress, it’s a good idea to keep a to-do list to try and stay on top of your tasks and priorities. However, it’s also important to acknowledge everything you’ve achieved too. Keeping a ‘ta-da’ list of all your accomplishments can feel rewarding and help you to feel less overwhelmed.
- Create a healthy work/life balance: It’s vital to set clear boundaries between work and home life so we can manage our time and energy. Commuting allows a change of mind-set, but if you’re working from home it can feel trickier. The NHS ‘Going Home Check List’ encourages reflection at the end of the working day and includes tips on how to switch off.
- Ask for help: If you are struggling at work, don’t be afraid to reach out to your colleagues, your line manager or the Devon Wellbeing Hub for support.
How the Devon Wellbeing Hub can help:
If you and your or your team are struggling to keep well at work, the Hub is here to help. We offer individual wellbeing assessments to talk through your concerns and help you write a wellbeing plan with your next steps. We can also write a letter to your manager if you’d find that helpful. We also offer support for teams through our wellbeing workshops and reflective practice sessions – giving you and your colleagues the opportunity to think about your collective wellbeing. Colleagues are also able to sign up for our free, virtual workshops on a number of wellbeing topics, including ‘managing imposter syndrome’ and ‘preventing stress and managing burnout.’
Get in touch today by calling 0300 303 5455, emailing dpt.devonwellbeing@nhs.net or completing our online referral form.